BAIL for the Chinese businessman before the court on a charge of possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking has not been revoked.

On Friday, senior magistrate Armina Deonarinesingh allowed Hong Fei Wu’s $100,000 bail to continue, but varied the reporting conditions.

Hong now has to report to the Marabella police station five times a week until further ordered.

She did not approve an application by the defence for a change of address, but warned Hong that he is to stay at the new address his lawyers have given until the police do their investigations.

She also warned him he would not be allowed to leave the country without permission from a magistrate and that the police had a duty to monitor his whereabouts, since he complained of possibly being followed by officers.

“Bail continues for now. The court will continue to monitor his appearance before it considers further applications to revoke bail,” she said, as she directed the police to ensure they got all their documentation on record.

On Tuesday, prosecutors asked for Hong’s bail to be revoked on the ground that he breached his bail condition of staying at the La Romaine address he gave the court when he was granted $100,000 bail on August 15.

At Tuesday’s hearing, acting Cpl Gervais argued that the Gulf View, La Romaine, residence named by Hong has been unoccupied since March.

On Friday, Sgt Malloo provided a statement from the landlord of the apartment and a statement from the police officer who went to the address.

“He misled the court by saying he is staying there,” Malloo submitted in support of the application for bail to be revoked.

But Hong’s attorney Larry Williams said the address had been given at the first court appearance by Hong's common-law wife but after he was arrested and charged, the landlady no longer wanted them on the premises.

He maintained that Hong had never shirked his responsibility after being granted bail.

“The purpose of bail is to have him attend court. He has always attended…So to revoke bail is to punish him for something he did not construct. We ask that you do not punish him for the act of another.”

Williams also provided a statutory declaration from Hong’s bailor and a new lease. However, Deonarinesingh said before she approved the change of address, she needed the bail bond, which could take at least three weeks.

In allowing Hong’s bail to continue, Deonarinesingh said the court, at the case-management stage, since the matter will be transferred to the San Fernando first court, was only concerned that he attends court.

“If he is found guilty, he will be punished. If he is found not, the law will take its course...

“I have no reason today, no proper reason, to revoke his bail…But of paramount consideration is that he is before the court. He has been charged, bail has been fixed and he is before the court.

“I told him I would not entertain him in a vehicle. I gave directions for him to go to the Madinah building every time the matter is called and he is there with his attorne